[quote1316835325=PUGNACES-BRITANNIAE-AK] arun, can you show some real bakharwals from your region. i don´t believe in the TM story of being the ancestor of all western mastiffs and LGDs as well as fighting breeds, but i also have doubts about the balkan/molosser story. astibus lately said it was the other way round and shepherds have been brought from greece to india, so that greece dogs are the ancestors of gaddi kuttas/himalayan mastiffs. [/quote1316835325] well, I've posted a few pics of my friend's bakharwal puppy in the relevant section (tibetan mastiff).. I'll post more pics of other bakharwals soon.. and regarding the theory of molosser origin, you have said it clearly that only a specific type of dogs from a specific region must be called as 'molossers' so if we go strictly by that theory, molossers originate in the molossian region, developed by the molossian tribesmen.. so that part is clear. even 'if' they have an ancestor from a different region, be it central asia or Himalayan Mountains, by this theory, they cannot be called as molossers as they are something else. about the question of ancestors of the Molossian dogs , there are several schools of thought, and staunch adherents to each of them. each one subscribes to the theory which they deem is more likely to be true, and I respect each one's opinion and faith in the theories.. In my opinion, it would be far more productive if we concentrate and contemplate more on how these dogs are at present, and work towards meeting the challenges they face.. some dogs face terrible challenges from what I know.. I think tending to improving their status as they stand now is of greater importance than to stir things up and end up in a mess. :) at the end of the day, I congratulate all the fanciers of mastiff type dogs who have dedicated so much of their time in reading and studying about these great dogs..